The Champaign-Urbana Edible Book Festival commences today, inviting bibliophiles and culinarians alike to taste literary delights. Last year, the competition featured entries such as the second place winner “The Rosetta Scone” by Eleanore Stasheff and an honorable mention baked good dubbed “Twelve Angry Gingerbread Men” from Eric Harbeson. Other entries included Rebecca Griftner’s turn on the popular Nick Hornby novel; her creation called “Pie Fidelity” depicts a telephone (with cord running out of a pie).

The tasty event is celebrated internationally, but the Champaign-Urbana edition kicks off today at 11:30 a.m. with the ceremonial eating of the books beginning at 12:45 p.m. at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St. in Champaign.

Judges for the competition include Jennifer Hain Teper, Conservation Librarian at University of Illinois, Fred Schlipf, retired director at Urbana Free Library and Ashlee Roderick, owner and pastry chef at The Cake Artist’s Studio.

Trophies are up for grabs in the categories: of Culinary, Literary, Artistic, Best depiction of the “Meet a Hero @ Your Library” theme, and a People’s Choice award.

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